48 ROCHESTER ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



Study and examination, and reading papers on various botanical sub- 

 jects. At one time he was Corresponding Secretary for the Section. 

 Though the infirmities of his later years prevented attendance at the 

 meetings, he retained his interest in the work of the Section up to the 

 very close of his long life. He was a fine general botanist, but for 

 many years he devoted the most of his attention to collecting and 

 studying ferns. In 1891 he contributed a very able article entitled : 

 "A List of the Indigenous Ferns of the Vicinity of Rochester, with 

 Notes," to the proceedings of the Academy {Proc. Roch. Acad. 

 Science, Vol. 7, pp. 186-igy). 



In 1895 he made a gift of his large collection of ferns to the 

 Academy. This collection contained most of the ferns of Australia 

 and the Sandwich Islands, and many specimens from various other 

 parts of the world, including New Zealand, South Africa, India, 

 Ceylon, South America, Jamaica and others of the West India islands, 

 as well as Great Britain and North America, in all numbering about 

 1,500 specimens. Nearly all the specimens were mounted and all 

 were encased in a black walnut cabinet made expressly for them. He 

 also presented to the Academy a number of books and publications 

 relating to the filices, some of them very rare and costly, the whole 

 making an exceedingly valuable gift. 



In the letter which accompanied the gift, Mr. Seelye said that 

 "the collection, examination, study and preparation of these speci- 

 mens had been for many years an unfailing source of interest and 

 information" to him, and he wished them to pass into the possession 

 of the Academy for the use of its members. This collection, with the 

 rest of our herbarium, is on deposit at the University of Rochester, 

 and is open for inspection by those interested. In appreciation of 

 this valuable gift, the Academy of Science made Mr. Seelye a Life 

 Member of the Society, November 1 1, 1895. 



Mr. Seelye was a warm friend, always ready to give advice and 

 counsel when consulted, particularly on botanical subjects, and was 

 esteemed by all for his courtesy, his kindness of heart and his quiet 

 and unassuming disposition. His memory should always be cherished 

 by the Botanical Section, not alone for his valuable gift of ferns, but 

 for his warm interest in its affairs and its progress. 



